Applications

Google today announced that it is (for better or worse) finally going to get rid of that annoying "show images" button in Gmail.
The gist is that embedded images will be routed through Google's severs and then transcoded, ensuring you won't get hit with any malware. If you're worried about bandwidth — or just don't want to fix something that's not broken for you in the first place — you'll be...

Lists are inescapable this time of year, and Google today announced the winners of its "Players' Choice: Top Google Play Apps and Games" poll.
The categories included "most addictive game," "best Google app" and "best franchise game," among others, Some of the winners you likely know. Some might be your introduction to something new and special. Check out the list after the break, and be sure...

Keyboard adds over 500 emoji images, emoji prediction and optional number keys added in latest beta
Popular Android keyboard app SwiftKey has rolled out a new beta version today with two frequently requested features. First up is emoji support, recently enabled in Google's own keyboard in the latest Android 4.4 KitKat release. Emoji can be accessed from the smiley menu in the bottom right...

Remastered port includes widescreen graphics, Hidden Palace Zone and Boss Attack mode
As promised, SEGA has today released a remastered mobile version of classic Genesis/Mega Drive platformer Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Android and iOS. Like the updated versions of Sonic 1 and Sonic CD, Sonic 2 features widescreen graphics, 60fps gameplay and a few surprises for fans of the 90's console original...

215MB update brings more Gargantuars, new maps and more
PopCap and Electronic Arts have updated the popular Plants vs. Zombies 2 Android game this evening, and it looks like quite a big set of changes. The sequel has proven as popular as the original, and chances are you've spent a bit of time clearing the gardens of space and time of some undead yourself on your phone or tablet.
The basic...

Four new playlist types now included, including shared playlists from friends
A new version of the Sony Walkman app is rolling out to recent Xperia devices with changes to playlists and the Music Unlimited service. Along with a slight visual refresh, including a mini player at the bottom of the app, you now have access to new playlist types — Newly Added, Most Played, Shared Playlist and...

Have complete control over your Dayframe images with Dayframe Prime
When Dayframe first launched in November, we hinted that a Prime version with more great features was on its way. It's landed today, and the developers have a special price for the first 1,000 installs at just 99-cents. Afterwards, the price will bump to $2.99 for a bit, then ramp to $4.99 when all the features are complete....

The Chrome App Launcher is an easy shortcut to all your Chrome apps
You've probably heard talk about Chrome desktop apps. It's something Google is trying that allows some Chrome apps or extensions to be used stand-alone in their own sandbox that run like any other desktop application would. The jury is still out on how effective or popular this will be, but it's something worth having a look...

Like the web interface, the new app lets you remotely track and lock down your other Android devices
Google has launched a new Android app allowing users of the Android Device Manager feature to remotely track, ring, lock down or wipe their other devices. Not to be confused with the Google Play Services feature that launched a few months ago, the ADM app duplicates the functionality of the web...

Do you have the need for speed, but would rather not dole out the cash to get it? We get it - cars are expensive, and why pay for a game when you don’t have to? We’ve combed through Google Play for some of the best-looking white-knuckled racing games on Android that are completely free, barring the odd prompt for in-app purchases. These freemium racing games are all really good and offer a...

Tired of ever-changing layouts and the important features not being where you want them? Try these Twitter Android alternatives.
Twitter's been experimenting on us, its users, for some time now with its official Android app. But the latest update might just have sealed the deal for many. We don't necessarily want to call it an abomination, but pretty clearly Twitter's all about expanding your...

Kart racer from Rovio launches today
Mobile gaming giant Rovio has launched its latest title on Android and iOS today. Anry Birds Go is a free "kart" racer based in the Angry Birds universe, featuring feathered friends from the popular artillery shooter. If you've played Mario Kart or any similar titles you'll know what to expect here — fast-paced 3D racing with a focus on power-ups and...

PDF and ePub files can be shared to Google Play Books using the Android intents system
Google Play Books is getting a nifty little update. The app has the same look and feel, but performance tweaks and new sharing features make for a worthwhile upgrade.
For starters, things have been tweaked to make your books — both your own uploads and Google Play purchases — open faster. If you've ever had...

Slight UI revamp to for the stable release
Twitter has updated their mobile app this afternoon, and updaters will find two sizeable changes. The first is a shot at other messaging services — photos in direct messages. Twitter has long been a popular social network, but their direct messaging options are sparse compared to alternatives. The inclusion of photos will help here, and may lure more...

Search, browse and share stock photos from your phone
One of the most popular stock photo and video services, Shutterstock, has released its own app into the Play Store after being available for some time on iOS. The Shutterstock mobile app lets you search, browse and view stock photography from its vast catalog, and then curate and share sets of photos with lightboxes.
And naturally if you...

A simpler, more functional way to find a new place to live
Finding just the right place to rent for your next apartment or home can be a very frustrating experience. If you've spent any decent amount of time looking to rent, you've no doubt spent countless hours dredging through Craigslist or just straight-up Google Maps search results, and that's just a terrible experience. Rental finder...

Promises no connection fees and significantly lower per-minute charges than Skype
Viber, the popular cross-platform messaging and VOIP calling application, is rolling out their Viber Out service worldwide. The service uses credit purchased through in-app purchases, or via credit card for desktop users. Purchased minutes can be used on Android, iOS or the desktop client.
In addition, Viber is...

Option to send group messages to individual recipients also included
Hangouts is making the subtle jump to version 2.0.2, bringing fixes for the way the messaging app handles MMS. Although the issues haven't necessarily been widespread, many who have updated to the latest Hangouts and began using it for text messaging have been running into issues sending and receiving MMS. While this update...

A quick heads up for those of us rocking the Moto X or (eventually, once they're on Android 4.4) one of the new Droids — Motorola has updated its Active Display app, which should help alleviate some of the lag we've been seeing on the lock screen feature. The changelog reads thusly:
Fix for the 1- (or) 2-(second) deley seen when swiping down or up to unlock from Active Display screen.
So get...

Great apps to try on your own device this weekend
It's our first Apps of the Week column for December, and as we round the final corner towards 2014 we're keeping up with the same recipe as all previous columns. Each Saturday this post rounds up an app pick from each of the writers here at Android Central, accompanied with a little explanation of why it's on our device.
This week's list fills...

Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by the Android Open Source Project
and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 2.5 Attribution License. AndroidCentral is an independent site
that is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.